Means for applying cap closures to receptacles



April 23,1935. E. B. KRAMER w I 1,998,628

MEANS FOR APPLYING CAP cnosggmss TO RECEPTA'CLES Filed Feb. .16, 1931 J Illlln I g E I I l z I v III-IRWIN I i 1 l I l Fatented Apr. 23, 1935 I MEANS FOR APPLYING CAP cLosuREs T RECEPTACLES Eric B. Kramer, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a' corporation of New York Application February 16, 1931, Serial No. 516,254

11 Claims.

which is specifically described in a companion application, Serial No. 516,253, filed February The invention is particularly designed for use with caps for closing receptacles of the jar or tumbler type having relatively wide mouths, and the cap or closure employed is of a type which permits it to be repeatedly removed and replaced without materially distorting the skirt or flange that surrounds the bead about the receptacle -mouth.

As described in the companion application re- 7 ferred to, the improved closure is held in position on the receptacle by engagement of a plurality of relatively widely circumferentially spaced -re-' taining members formed by indenting the outer face of the skirt of the cap-like closure.

The present invention, as hereinafter described, provides a very simple, inexpensive and durable means for affixing caps to receptacles in the manner above referred to.

In the drawing: I 7

Figure 1 is a bottom plan of a closure cap which has been applied to a receptacle by the means to be hereinafter described and subsequently removed from the receptacle. 7

Figure 2 is an elevation of the improved cap applying means. I j

Figure 3 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale of the pressure head, and a Figure 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, of aportion of a receptacle having a closure applied by the means of the present case,

Referring to the drawing in the several figures of which like parts are represented by the same reference characters, I designatesa tableor base plate from which rises a tubular boss 2 and on which is mounted a receptacle support 3. The support 3 is shown as being connected to the base I by means permitting vertical adjustment thereof and can be secured in any desired vertically adjusted position by a nut 4. h

5 designates a receptacleresting on the support 3 and adapted to have a closure cap 6 applied thereto in the relation shown particularly in Figure 4. That is, bythe means hereinafter described, the cap 8 is forced downward over-the crown finish bead I so that the skirt extends about and below said bead and in the outer face of said skirt are formed a series of depressions 8 providing inward projections which extend-beneath the bead 'l and lock the cap to the receptacle.

As shown, the apparatus includes means for simultaneously forming four depressions B in the skirt ofthe cap after it has been properly positionedron the receptacle, said depressions be ing circumferentially widely spaced and preferably arranged, as shown, in pairs, the members of each pair being situated diametrically opposite each, other. 7 10 The means for forcing the capli onto'the receptacle 5 and forming the depressions 8 in the skirt thereof, includes a head having a disc-like member, I0 adapted to contact with the top'of the closure 6 as said disc is moved downward relative to the support 3. 7

As shown, the disc member ID has an upward- 1y extending stem II extending through an expanding head I2 which is mounted in an arm I3 extending laterally from a rod I4 that extends downward through the tubular boss, 2. Below the table or base "I the rodv I4 is connected with a suitable lever mechanism by means of which it may be bodily reciprocated to move the closure applying means as hereinafter described. As showmthe upper end of the stem I I extends into a suitable recess or cavity in the head I2 so that there may be relative vertical movement betweenthe head I2 and disc It. Between these parts,'about the stem II, is arranged a spring I5 which normally tends to hold the parts in the relationflshown in Figure 5, butwhich permits the expanding member I2 to move downward after the disc I0 has reached the lower limit of its travel, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. a

The pressure disc I0 is shown as provided with an upwardly extending. annular-shaped wall Ilia into which extends the lower tubular end I2a of the expanding member I2 and the spring I5 is arranged within'a chamber at the lower end of said member so that it is concealed and protected from damage. I V

The pressure disc I!) is provided at suitable points on its periphery with ears 2!) between which are pivotally mounted indenting levers 2 I, the lower arms of which extend downward below the lower face of the disc In.

As shown, the apparatus includes four of, such indenting levers which are positioned approximately 90" apart about the circumference of the pressure disc.

The arm ofeach indenting lever above its fulcrum is provided with aninwardly projecting lug 55 to which is pivotally connected as at 23 a second lever 24.

The several levers 24 are connected by a radially expansible spring ring 25 which tends to hold them in the relation to the indenting levers shown in the drawing in which a stop 24a on the second lever is in contact with the lug or projection 22 of the indenting lever.v At the upper end of each second lever is mounted 'a roller 26 which is adapted to contact with the expanding member [2 of the pressure head as the latter is forced downward against the action of the spring 15 and such movement of the expanding member acts to rock the several levers 24 against the action of the spring ring 25.

Such outward movement of the upper ends of the levers 24 is transmitted to the indenting levers by leaf springs El, the upper end of each of which is attached to the inner face of one of the indenting levers and a bowed or deflected portion of which contacts with the edge of the associated lever 24.

It is believed that the operation of the means before described will be readily understood from the description and the accompanying drawing. When a cap 6 has been properly positioned on a receptacle 5 as represented in Figure 2, downward movement of the rod l4 acts to carry the pressure head into position to force said cap over the bead l on the receptacle and after the cap is properly seated, further downward movement of the rod I4 will move the expanding member l2 against the action of the spring l5, thus forcing the upper ends of the levers 24 outward and rocking the indenting levers to cause the lower ends thereof to form the'depressions 8 in the skirt of the cap Such depressions 8 are, as shown, spaced circumferentially of the cap to a considerable extent so that the points of engagement of the projections formed thereby are at considerable distances apart and may be disengaged from the receptacle without material distortion of the skirt of the closure.

While I have shown, and hereinbefore specifically described an embodiment of the invention including four cap-skirt indenting levers, such levers being arranged in pairs with the members of each pair in substantially diametrically opposite relation it is not desired to limit the invention to such specific form.

The number and relative arrangement of the indenting levers may be varied.

However, a feature which is believed to be of considerable importance is that the levers are so positioned, and of such member that the depressions produced thereby will be circumferentially separated to a considerable extent.

I claim: I

1. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a receptacle, a cap applying head including a por-. tion adapted to apply pressure to the top of a cap, a plurality of radially swinging, cap-skirt indenting, levers pivotally mounted on and having their lower ends below said head, an auxiliary lever fulcrumed on each indenting lever above the axis thereof, a spring interposed between the upper arm of each indenting lever and its associated auxiliary lever, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the receptacle support and head, and means, adapted to be actuated after movement between the head and receptacle support has forced a cap onto a' receptacle, for

simultaneously rocking all of the auxiliary levers to cause the indenting levers to form depressions in the skirt of the cap and provide interior projections beneath the head on the receptacle.

2. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a receptacle, a cap applying head including a disc adapted to apply pressure to the top of a cap, said disc being provided at a plurality of circumferentially spaced peripheral points with capskirt indenting levers'that extend below the disc, a lug on each said lever projecting over the disc, a second lever iulcrumed on each said lug, a spring interposed between each indenting lever and the associated second lever, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the re ceptacle support and the head to force a cap downward over the bead on the receptacle, and

means on the head for subsequently cooperating with said second levers to rock the indenting levers, for the purpose described.

3. In a means for applying a' cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a re- 'a lug on each said lever projecting over the disc,

a second lever fulcrumed on each said lug, a leaf spring attached at its upper end to each indenting lever and extending downward between said lever and its associated second lever and bearing against the latter, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the receptacle support and the head to forcea cap downward over the bead on the receptacle, and means on the head for subsequently cooperating with said second levers to rock the indenting levers for the purpose described.

4. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having acrown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a receptacle, a capapplying head including a disc adapted to apply pressure to the top of a cap, said disc being provided at a plurality of circumferentially spaced peripheral points with capskirt indenting levers that extend belowthe disc, a lug on each said lever projecting over the disc, a second lever fulcrumed on each said lug, a radially expansible ring connecting said second levers above their pivots, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the receptacle support and head to first force a cap onto a receptacle on the support and subsequently rock the said secondlevers about their axes, and means for transmitting the rocking movement of said second levers to the indenting levers, for the purpose described.

5. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a receptacle, a cap applying head including a disc adapted to apply pressure to the top of a cap, said disc being provided at a plurality of circumferentially spaced peripheral points with cap-skirt indenting levers that extend below the disc, a second lever fulcrumed on each said lever, a radially expansible ring connecting said second levers above their pivots, stops for limiting movement of the last said levers under theaction of said ring, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the receptacle support and head to first force a cap onto a receptacle on the support and subsequently rock the said second levers about their axes, and means for transmitting the rocking movement of said second levers to the indenting'levers, for the purpose described.

6. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, the combination of a support for a receptacle, a cap applying head including a disc adapted to apply pressure to the top of a cap, said disc being provided at a plurality of circumferentially spaced peripheral points with capskirt indenting levers that extend below the disc,"

a lug on each said lever projecting over the disc, a second lever fulcrumed on each said lug, a spring interposed between each indenting lever and the associated second lever, a roller mounted on each said second lever, means for effecting relative movement between the receptacle support and head to force a cap downwardly over the bead on the receptacle, and means movable vertically of the head for engaging said rollers and rocking the said levers, substantially asand for the purpose described.

7. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, a head, a series of radially swinging capskirt indenting levers pivoted on said head, a second series of levers pivoted on the'first series, and means operable to move the levers of said second series and therethrough to operate the indenting levers.

8. In a means for applying a' cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, a head, a series of radially swinging capskirt indenting levers pivoted on said head, a second series of levers pivoted on the first series, means operable to move the levers of said second series, and yieldable means between said last named levers and the indenting levers to transmit movement to the latter.

9. ma means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, a head, a series of radially swinging capskirt indenting levers pivoted on said head, a second series of levers pivoted on the first series, means operable to move the levers of said second series, yieldable means between said-lastnamed levers and the indenting levers to transmit movement to the latter, and cooperating abutment means on said levers for limiting movement apart of the associated levers under the action of said yieldable means.

10. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, a head, a series of radially swinging capskirt indenting levers pivoted on said head, a second series of pivoted levers associated with the first series, means operable to move the levers of said second series, yieldable means between said last-named levers and the indenting levers to transmit movement to the latter, and yieldable means acting on the levers of one of said series to return the levers of both series.

11. In a means for applying a cap closure to a receptacle having a crown finish bead about its mouth, a head, a series of radially swinging capskirt indenting levers pivoted on said head, a second series of levers pivoted on the first series, means operable to move the levers of said second series, yieldable means between said last-named levers and the indenting levers to transmit movement to the latter, cooperating abutment means on said levers for limiting movement apart of the associated levers under the action of said yieldable means, and yieldable means acting on said second series of levers to return the levers of both series.

ERIC B. KRAMER. 

